The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah announced two new awards and their winners at its annual meeting.
The awards, the Neshamah Award and the Mensch of the Year Award, went to Dayna Gershon and Chad King, respectively.
These new awards were created by B’nai Jehudah Senior Rabbi Stephanie Kramer to begin a tradition of honoring a B’nai Jehudah staff member and a volunteer each year.
“It’s no small task choosing just two people, especially in a community as remarkable as ours,” Rabbi Kramer said at the annual meeting. “When I began thinking about this, so many names immediately came to mind.”
The inaugural Neshamah Award, intended for staff members “whose soul shines through everything they do,” was given to Dayna Gershon, the synagogue’s director of education. She was chosen due to her assistance and kindness at the synagogue even beyond her role.
“She brings vision, calm, kindness and creativity to everything she touches,” Rabbi Kramer said about Gershon. “Not once — not ever — has she said, ‘That’s not my job.’”
The Mensch of the Year Award, given to Chad King, is for outstanding volunteers. King was honored for being a “constant presence” at the synagogue, planning Brotherhood events, managing spreadsheets and security systems, salting sidewalks and more.
“[King] is truly a constant presence here at the Temple,” Rabbi Kramer said. “He’s always looking for ways to help.”
The slate of the 2025-2026 Board of Trustees and Endowment Committee was also announced at the annual meeting.